Scotland is to pioneer a new initiative that aims to increase uptake and accessibility of reused construction materials and showcase the sector as a lucrative investment opportunity.
The nation is one of four in Europe selected to model a Circular Construction Hub – a second-hand marketplace for materials used in building and infrastructure projects.
Led by Zero Waste Scotland, the nation’s circular economy public body, and launching at the start of EU Green Week, the project will see an investment-ready Circular Construction Hub model prepared by December 2027.
The initiative has huge potential to keep valuable materials in good use for longer, generating significant benefits for Scotland’s economy and environment and accelerating Scotland’s circular economy ambitions.
Taking a circular approach to construction can:
· create new opportunities for business;
· support domestic job creation in repair, reuse and remanufacturing;
· support the development of better markets for reused materials; and,
· improve economic resilience against future economic shocks.
For individual businesses adopting circular models helps reduce costs, improve efficiency, and boost profitability.
Scotland is one of just four European locations to pilot a Circular Construction Hub, alongside Munich, Lisbon, and Denmark. It’s part of CirCoFin (Circular Construction
Finance), an initiative funded by the European Union that aims to make reusing construction materials the norm.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland said: “Developing a workable model for a Circular Construction Hub is an important opportunity for Scotland to lead by example and build on the success of our existing network of smaller community and commercial hubs across the country.
“It has enormous potential to help us forefront reuse as a convenient and aspirational option for businesses and simultaneously generate promising opportunities for sustainable investment in Scotland.”
Creating a circular built environment is one of seven opportunities identified in Scotland’s first-ever analysis of the circular economy in Scotland, the “Circularity Gap Report”. Delivered by Zero Waste Scotland in collaboration with Circle Economy, the report states that by developing resource-efficient planning and construction Scotland could cut its material consumption by 11.2% and its carbon footprint by 11.5%.
What’s more, the reuse of construction materials and assets are a priority action identified by the Scottish Government in the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map to 2030. The Route Map sets out an ambitious plan to deliver actions that the government and others must take to accelerate progress towards a circular economy between now and 2030.
Acting Net Zero Secretary Gillian Martin said: “There are huge opportunities in having an economy which makes reuse and recycling the default choice.
“We have already seen businesses creating jobs by turning what we might otherwise throw away into valuable new products and services.
“This Circular Construction Hub pilot helps to progress actions from our 2030 Route Map – by helping to tackle construction waste, which accounts for up to 50% of all waste in Scotland.
“It will also secure supplies of critical construction materials and help construction businesses save money by keeping construction materials in use for longer.”
The EU-funded project will run to December 2027, with Zero Waste Scotland undertaking feasibility studies and sector engagement before developing a workable model.
